*I am not affiliated with NBC's Passions or James E. Reilly. I am simply borrowing the charactesr
C H A P T E R E I G H T E E N
Theresa spun around as she heard Dylan uttered the words she ultimately dreaded. "Your mystery woman is Whitney Russell," Dylan had told Fox. Theresa quickly looked at Fox to see his reaction. Theresa was not at all pleased at what she saw in his eyes. He looks delighted that his secret is out. Just wait till Chad finds out. She thought disbelievingly.
"Hey Theresa!" Dylan called. "I found out who the mystery woman is!"
Theresa crossed her arms. "You did, huh?"
Dylan ran ahead with the evidence. "You see, Fox said the last person he talked to was his mystery woman. I looked it up on his call list and it says, 'Whitney Russell'. Do you happen to know her?"
"She's my best friend." Theresa said softly. "Look, I'd rather not talk about this right now. I need to get to my son." Theresa walked briskly through the automatic doors of the L.A. hospital.
Dylan waited for Fox to catch up. It didn't take long, considering the great length of Fox's strides. "You're in love with Theresa's best friend?" he asked.
Fox nodded his reply.
"How did you two meet?" Dylan wondered.
"Theresa introduced us."
"Really? Did she introduce you two with the intention of hooking you up with her friend?"
"I don't think so." Fox said simply.
"When exactly did you fall in love with Whitney?"
"At this jazz club in Harmony."
"A jazz club?" Dylan asked. "Please, go on."
"I just happened to be there when Whitney got up to sing. She had the most amazing voice." Fox said with a faraway look in his eyes. "She looked so beautiful on stage. Ever since then, I've been in love with her."
"Love at first site, huh?"
"Yeah." Fox replied smiling.
"Funny." Dylan said scratching his head. "I never thought you'd be the type to believe in love at first sight."
"I didn't at first." Fox admitted. "But then, I guess Theresa's hopeless romantic ideals rubbed off on me."
"Oh."
"It was actually Chad who told me what it felt like to be in love. When Whitney went up on stage, I felt exactly how Chad said I would feel."
"Who's Chad?" Dylan asked confused.
"Whitney's boyfriend." Fox said in a low tone.
"What?!" Dylan said astonished. "Her boyfriend?"
"Technically her fiancé."
"Whoa, man! Now I know the real reason why you're trying to hook up with this girl." Dylan said shaking his head. "I should've known."
"What are you talking about?" Fox asked.
"You're only going after Whitney because of the challenge. Fox, you don't love her!"
~*~
"ETHAN!" Gwen yelled at the top of her lungs. "ETHAN!"
Ethan came bounding into the room with little Ethan still in his arms. "What is it honey?"
"WHERE WERE YOU?" Gwen asked loudly and obviously fuming. She was sweating copiously and looked as if she had just stepped out of the shower.
"I was outside trying to see if Theresa showed up." Ethan said quickly.
Gwen screamed in pain. After another contraction had passed she said incredulously, "WHAT?! I'm having YOUR child and you're outside WAITING FOR YOUR EX TO SHOW UP?!"
"Gwen calm down." Ethan pleaded. "It's not good for you to get upset like this."
"UPSET? UPSET?! Ethan, I am BEYOND UPSET."
"Gwen, shh" Ethan said again pleadingly.
"What is going on in here?" Dr. Abel demanded. He walked quickly over to Gwen. "I heard you yelling." He said.
"Sorry." Gwen muttered. "My HUSBAND told me something I did NOT want to hear." Gwen sent an irritated look in her husband's direction.
"I didn't mean to upset her." Ethan said in his defense.
"Well, I'm afraid you did." Dr. Abel replied. "Mr. Winthrop, please leave the room. I'm going to see if I can calm her down."
"Okay," Ethan said. "I'm sorry, Gwen. I really am." He turned and left the room.
Dr. Abel, a man who looked very educated and wise, observed his patient. She's quite beautiful. He thought to himself. In a way, Gwen reminded him of his deceased wife. However, Dr. Abel knew that he must placate his patient before it caused any more stress for her and the baby. "Gwen." He said soothingly. "Breathe, and forget about what your husband said. Concentrate on your breathing."
"I'm trying." Gwen said between puffs.
"That's good." Dr. Abel said encouragingly. "In, out. In, out." He instructed.
Gwen began to feel calmer. She continued to breathe. Suddenly another contraction had her doubled over and breathing hard.
Dr. Abel put his hand on her back. "Breathe Gwen!" He said. "Breathe, it'll pass."
Gwen lay back exhausted. "How much more time before I deliver?" She asked.
"Well, let's take a look." Dr. Abel peered under the sheet to see how far Gwen was dilated. "Just a couple more centimeters and you should be on your way to the delivery room."
"I want this baby out of me!" Gwen cried.
"I know." Dr. Abel said pushing back the strands of hair that plastered against Gwen's forehead. "Soon, Gwen. This baby is on its way. Just give her some more time."
"What did you say?" Gwen asked.
Dr. Abel quickly realized his mistake. He revealed the gender of Gwen's child. "I said just give it some more time." He said trying to play off his mistake.
"No, you said her. I'm having a girl!"
~*~
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